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****2014 Crown Jewel Countdown: #25 - DT , O.J. Smith****

Scouting Report

Smith, who was unrated when he initially committed to Alabama, is a big prospect, but like many kids who haven't been in a top notch S&C program, needs to trim up and add some muscle before he can hold his own in the SEC. Right this way Mr. Smith
Smith projects as a true nose tackle in a 3-4 defense but could be a few years out from being physically ready to play. Still, the staff was on him early, which means they think he can develop into a solid player.

BigEasyTider's Take

Shorter, stout frame who was effectively signed as a true nose tackle, and unlikely to see him ever move out to defensive end. Josh Chapman is a decent comparison from a raw physical standpoint. Moves pretty well for his size, but he's always going to have to be a physical plug in the middle of the line, and he's not going to be someone who consistently uses his athleticism to get into the backfield and make plays.

Smith was taken as an early commitment, before the somewhat surprising poaching of Josh Frazier, and he nearly de-committed because of that. Early playing time won't be likely due to simple depth issues -- Ivory, Lake, and Frazier -- and he's going to have to spend some time in the S&C program to really develop into the imposing presence he will have to be to play on the interior DL in the SEC, but he has a solid frame already and he played a lot of one-technique in high school, so he could get some real playing time earlier than some think. Barring a big run of injuries and attrition, though, he's likely headed for a redshirt season this fall.

runtheoption22's Take

At this point, it's hard to see him being more than a role player, but he also has some potential to be a great NT. He doesn't have the tallest frame, so a tree-trunk, low center of gravity run plugger is going to be his MO. He isn't going to be a guy that moves over to a 3 often, and never to a 5 or wider.

WMack4Bama's Take

Looking at Smith's film, he seems to be a guy that is big enough to stuff the run and hold the line and athletic enough to put some pressure on the offensive backfield. However, he comes into a situation where we may be as deep as we've ever been on the defensive line. So he'll almost definitely spend this year as a redshirt. As the scouting report says, he needs to spend that year in the weight room. And I think perhaps, he'll be a solid contributor down the road.

Last edited by runtheoption22; July 29th, 2014 at 09:58 AM.

"I didn't come to Alabama to win 10 games a year and be a contender. I came here to win championships. Conference championships and national championships. I love it here because that's just not what I want, but what this fanbase expects."
--Alabama Head Football Coach, Nick Saban

“Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on it’s ability to climb a tree, it will spend it’s whole life believing it is stupid.” — Albert Einstein

Re: ****2014 Crown Jewel Countdown: #25 - DT , O.J. Smith****

Re: ****2014 Crown Jewel Countdown: #25 - DT , O.J. Smith****

Coach Saban mentioned in the post-practice presser today that O.J. came on campus needing to have shoulder surgery. They're going to go ahead and do that, and he's going to be out for the year.

"I didn't come to Alabama to win 10 games a year and be a contender. I came here to win championships. Conference championships and national championships. I love it here because that's just not what I want, but what this fanbase expects."
--Alabama Head Football Coach, Nick Saban

“Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish on it’s ability to climb a tree, it will spend it’s whole life believing it is stupid.” — Albert Einstein